Method and apparatus for teaching the game of golf

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus for teaching the game of golf, the apparatus of which includes a novel harness assembly that is removably affixed to the upper body portion of the trainee. The harness assembly includes first and second spaced apart straps that are draped over the trainee&#39;s shoulders. Uniquely, each of the first and second straps have on their front portions an upper rod receiving loop, a lower rod receiving loop and an intermediate rod receiving loop disposed between the upper rod receiving loop and said lower rod receiving loop. The apparatus also includes an elongated position-indicating rod having first and second end portions that are selectively receivable within the rod receiving loops provided on the first and second straps. The position-indicating rod can be interconnected with the harness so that it extends either substantially parallel with the plane of the trainee&#39;s shoulders or angularly with respect thereto. The position-indicating rod is of a length so that it spans the trainee&#39;s chest and arms and includes end portions that are visible to the trainee both at the time of address and during the golf swing. Accordingly, the position-indicating rod can be used to assist in aligning with the target and can also uniquely be used to provide a tactile indication to the trainee if the degree of rotation during the golf swing is improper and if the arms are incorrectly positioned relative to the trainee&#39;s body at address and during the golf swing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates generally the golf trainingdevices. More particularly the invention concerns a method in apparatusfor use by a golfer to learn the proper techniques for properlyaddressing the golf ball, properly aligning with the target and properlyswinging the golf club.

[0003] 2. Discussion of the Prior Art

[0004] In the past the number of different types of training deviceshave been proposed to help a golfer develop a proper stance and swing.One such device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,890,968 issued to Mingo.This device comprises a golf swing training device for guiding theshoulder turn of the golfer from the address position to the apex of theback swing, through the forward swing until contact with the ball andthe subsequent follow through. The Mingo device includes a shirt likegarment worn by the trainee and an elongated rigid shaft connected tothe garment. The device also includes a flat face marker provided on thegolfer's lead shoulder that is adapted to be engaged by the golferduring the golf swing.

[0005] Another golf training device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.5,658,203 issued to Shub. This device includes a breastplate adapted tobe worn adjacent to the golfer's chest and an elongated shaft supportedby the breastplate and extending laterally therefrom for visuallyaligning the trainee with a distance target when addressing the golfball.

[0006] Still another prior art golf training device is disclosed in U.S.Pat. No. 6,206,787 B1 issued to Kleppen. This latter device comprises aharness with a chest encircling band and shoulder straps having frontand rear portions. A rigid indicating bar is attached to the rearportions of the shoulder straps so that the rigid shaft is not visibleto the golfer when addressing the golf ball.

[0007] By way of brief background, developing proper techniques foraddressing the golf ball and for accomplishing a proper and consistentswing are essential to mastering the game of golf. In this regard,during the proper golf swing by a right-handed golfer, the torso andhips rotate to the right around a central axis while the head isessentially stationery. The feet remain in position but the weight istransferred to the right foot as the left heel is raised. On the forwardswing the rotation is reversed. After impacting the ball, torso rotationproperly continues to the left during the follow through. Weight istransferred to the left foot as he right heel elevates. During theentire swing, the position of the trainees should remain essentiallystationary. While the prior art training devices assist in perfectingcertain aspects of the address and swing, none have proven to beparticularly effective in teaching all of the important aspects of theaddress and the swing. It is this drawback of prior art that the methodand apparatus of the present invention seeks to overcome by providing asimple, easy-to-use apparatus and the method of using the same thatgives the trainee a positive visual and tactile indication of animproper address to the ball, an improper directional alignment with thetarget and an improper swing of the golf club.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] By way a brief summary, the apparatus of present inventioncomprises a novel harness assembly that is removably affixed to theupper body portion of the trainee. The harness assembly includes firstand second spaced apart straps that are draped over the trainee'sshoulders. Uniquely, each of the first and second straps have on theirfront portions an upper rod receiving loop, a lower rod receiving loopand an intermediate rod receiving loop disposed between the upper rodreceiving loop and said lower rod receiving loop. The golf trainingapparatus also includes an elongated position-indicating rod havingfirst and second end portions that are selectively receivable within therod receiving loops provided on the first and second straps. With thisnovel construction, the position-indicating rod can be interconnectedwith the harness so that it extends either substantially parallel withthe plane of the trainees shoulders or angularly with respect thereto.The position-indicating rod is of a length so that it spans thetrainee's chest and arms and includes end portions that are visible tothe trainee both at the time of address and during the golf swing.Accordingly, the position-indicating rod can be used to assist inaligning with the target and can also uniquely be used to provide atactile indication to the trainee if the degree of rotation during thegolf swing is improper and if the arms are incorrectly positionedrelative to the trainees body at address and during the golf swing.

[0009] With the forgoing in mind, it is an object of the presentinvention to provide a golf-training device and a method of using samethat will markedly assist a golfer in developing a correct andrepeatable golf swing.

[0010] Another object of the invention is provide a golf trainingapparatus of the aforementioned character that provides both a visualand tactile indication to the trainee of improper address, alignment andgolf swing.

[0011] Another object of the invention is to provide a golf trainingapparatus as described in the preceding paragraphs that includes anelongated positioning indicating rod that can be positioned at variousselected heights and angular orientations with respect to the shouldersof the trainee.

[0012] Another object of the invention is to provide a golf trainingapparatus of the character described that can be used either byright-handed or left-handed golfers without modifying the apparatus

[0013] Another object of the invention is to provide a golf trainingapparatus that is a simple construction, embodies a minimum number ofcomponent parts and one that is easy to use with a minimum amount oftraining.

[0014] Another object of the invention is to provide a golf trainingapparatus as described in the preceding paragraphs that provides atactile indication of improper swing, but does not unduly interfere withthe normal accomplishment of a practice swing

[0015] It is an additional object of the invention to provide a methodfor teaching the golfer the proper degree of upper body turn necessaryto accomplish a full and correct back swing.

[0016] Another object of the invention is to provide a method forteaching the golfer by tactile indication to maintain the rearward armand elbow in close proximity with the body during the golf swing.

[0017] Another object of the invention is to provide a method forteaching the golfer proper arm positioning and alignment with the targetwhile setting up for a full swing or for a putting stroke.

[0018] The foregoing objects as well as other objects will becomeapparent upon reading the following detailed description when consideredin conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019]FIG. 1 is a generally perspective front view showing the golftraining apparatus of the invention affixed to a trainee.

[0020]FIG. 2 is a generally perspective rear view showing the golftraining apparatus of the invention affixed to a trainee.

[0021]FIG. 3 is a generally perspective view of one form of the golftraining apparatus of the invention.

[0022]FIG. 4 is a generally perspective view of a trainee using the golftraining apparatus of the invention to properly address the golf ballusing a driver.

[0023]FIG. 5 is a generally perspective view of a trainee using the golftraining apparatus of the invention to properly address the golf ballusing a wedge.

[0024]FIG. 6 is a generally perspective illustrative view of the traineeusing the golf training apparatus to accomplish a proper back swing.

[0025]FIG. 7 is a generally perspective illustrative view similar toFIG. 6, but showing the trainee accomplishing an incorrect back swing.

[0026]FIG. 8 is a generally perspective illustrative view of the traineeusing the golf training apparatus to accomplish a proper downswing.

[0027]FIG. 9 is a generally perspective view similar to FIG. 5, butshowing the trainee using the golf training apparatus of the inventionin a different configuration to properly address the golf ball using amid iron.

[0028]FIG. 10 is a generally perspective view similar to FIG. 9, butshowing the trainee accomplishing a proper back swing using the golftraining apparatus of the invention to ensure that the left shoulder isnot incorrectly lifted during the swing.

[0029]FIG. 11 is a generally perspective view of a trainee using thegolf training apparatus of the invention to properly align a putter witha selected target.

[0030]FIG. 12 is a generally perspective view similar to FIG. 11 showingthe trainee using the golf training apparatus of the invention toproperly address the ball using a putter and using the golf trainingapparatus to ensure that the arms remain close to the body.

[0031]FIG. 13 is a generally perspective view of a trainee using thegolf training apparatus of the invention to properly align a long ironwith a selected target.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0032] Referring to the drawings and particularly FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, thegolf training apparatus of the invention can be seen to comprise aharness assembly 20, which, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, can be removablyaffixed to the upper body “UB” of a trainee. Harness assembly 20 herecomprises first and second spaced apart straps 22 and 24 that are drapedover the trainee's shoulders. As shown in FIG. 1, straps 22 and 24 havefront portions 25 and, as shown in FIG. 2, have rear portions 27 thatare interconnected by a transverse strap 27 a.

[0033] As depicted in the drawings, straps 22 and 24 extend over thechest and back portions of the trainee. As best seen in FIGS. 1 and 3,first strap 22 is uniquely provided with a plurality of verticallyspaced apart rod receiving loops 26. Similarly, second strap 24 isuniquely provided with a plurality of vertically spaced apart rodreceiving loops 28 (FIG. 1). As best seen in FIG. 3, the front portionof strap 22 is provided with an upper loop 26 a, a lower loop 26 b andan intermediate loop 26 c that is disposed between loops 26 a and 26 b.Similarly, the front portion of strap 24 is also provided with an upperloop 28 a, a lower loop 28 b and an intermediate loop 26 c that isdisposed between loops 28 a and 28 b. As illustrated in FIG. 3, harnessassembly 20 also includes a chest band 30 that is connected to the lowerextremities of the first and second straps and encircles the traineeschest portion “C” in the manner shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0034] As indicated in FIG. 3, chest band 30 has first and second ends30 a and 30 b that are interconnected by connector means for releasablyinterconnecting the first and second ends of the chest band. Thisconnector mans is here provided in the form of a conventional buckleassembly 32.

[0035] An important aspect of the apparatus of the form of the inventionshown in the drawings comprises an elongated position-indicating thatrod 34 can be removably connected to the harness assembly in severaldifferent positions and orientations. As shown in FIG. 1 of thedrawings, elongated position-indicating rod 34 has a length greater thanthe width “W” of the shoulders of the trainee and includes first andsecond end portions 34 a and 34 b respectively. In a manner presently bedescribed first end portion 34 a is slidably receivable within aselected one of the rod receiving loops provided on the front of firststrap 22. Position-indicating rod 34 also has a said second end portion34 b that is slidably receivable within a selected one of the rodreceiving loops provided on the front of second strap 24. With thisnovel construction the elongated position-indicating rod can uniquely beadjustably positioned within planes generally parallel to the first,generally horizontal plane “P” of the trainees shoulders (FIG. 1) andalternatively can be adjustably positioned within planes extendingangularly with respect to the plane “P” (FIG. 9). As depicted in FIG. 1,the trainee's shoulders are also positioned in a first, substantiallyvertically extending plane that intersects plane “P” and is generallyparallel to the plane of the paper.

[0036] Turning particularly to FIG. 4, the trainee is there shown usingthe golf training apparatus of the invention to properly address thegolf ball using a driver “D”. For this purpose, the position-indicatingrod is carried by the uppermost loops 26 a and 28 a of straps 22 and 24.Due to the position of the ball at address and due to the length of thedriver, the driver set up has the most tilt in the shoulders asindicated by the angularly upwardly extending orientation of theposition-indicating rod 34. However, as illustrated in FIG. 5, in aproper set up using a wedge “W”, the trainees shoulders aresubstantially level as is the position-indicating rod 34. In a propersetup when using a mid iron, such as a six iron, the proper angle of theposition-indicating rod would be at an angle approximately halfwaybetween the angle of the rod shown in FIG. 4 and the angle of the rodshown in FIG. 5. With this understanding, in carrying out one form ofthe method of the invention, the trainee first positions theposition-indicating rod 34 within the uppermost loops provided on firstand second straps 22 and 24. In addressing the ball using a driver, thesecond end 34 b of the position-indicating rod is viewed by the traineeto make certain that this end of the rod is properly elevated in themanner indicated in FIG. 4. If end 34 b of the rod is at or near levelthe trainee at once knows that the address to the ball is improper andcan make appropriate corrections. In similar fashion, in addressing theball using a wedge or short iron as shown in FIG. 5, the second end ofthe indicating rod is viewed by the trainee to make certain that thisend of the rod is at or near level. If the end of the rod is eitherabove or below level, the trainee at once knows that the address to theball is improper and can correct the stance according.

[0037] Referring next to FIG. 6, the trainee is depicted using the golftraining apparatus to accomplish a proper back swing. In using theapparatus of the invention to accomplish the back swing, theposition-indicating rod is once again held in position on the harness 20by means of the uppermost loops 26 a and 28 a. As depicted in FIG. 6, atthe top of the back swing, the upper body of the trainee should be fullyturned to the position there shown wherein the indicating rod isdisposed within a second vertical plane that is substantiallyperpendicular to the vertical plane within which the rod resided at thecommencement of the back swing. Accordingly, by observing the positionof the second end 34 b of the position-indicating rod, the trainee canat once determine whether or not a full upper body turn has beenaccomplished. For example, FIG. 7 illustrates the orientation of theposition-indicating rod during the accomplishment of improper backswing. As indicated in FIG. 7, in the improper back swing, end 34 b ofthe indicating rod is disposed within a vertical plane that extends anangle less than 90 degrees with respect to the vertical plane withinwhich the indicating rod resided at the commencement of the back swing.When the trainee observes end 34 b of the rod in this position, itbecomes immediately apparent that a proper full-turn of the upper bodyportion has not been accomplished and appropriate adjustments can bemade.

[0038] Turning next to FIG. 8 of the drawings, the trainee is theredepicted using the golf training apparatus to accomplish a proper downswing. In using the apparatus of the invention to accomplish the properdownswing, the position-indicating rod 34 is once again held in positionon the harness 20 by means of the uppermost loops 26 a and 28 a. Asindicated in FIG. 8, at an intermediate point during the downswing, theupper body of the trainee should be turned to the position there shownwherein end 34 a of the indicating rod is pointed downwardly toward theground. If the trainee tends to improperly standup during the downswing, end 34 a of the position-indicating rod will point up rather thancorrectly pointing downwardly as shown in FIG. 8. Accordingly, byobserving the position of the first end 34 a of the position-indicatingrod, the trainee at once determined whether or not a proper body turnhas been a to accomplished.

[0039] Referring to FIG. 9, the trainee is once again shown using thegolf training apparatus of the invention to perfect a proper back swing.However, it is to be observed that in this example, theposition-indicating rod has been arranged in a different configurationto teach the proper address to the golf ball and to teach theaccomplishment of a proper back swing using a club such as a mid iron.In this regard, a common fault in accomplishing the back swing comprisesthe undue to elevation of the inner right elbow (for a right-handedgolfer) during the back swing. The apparatus set up as shown in FIG. 9is specifically adapted to correct this common defect in the swing. Asshown in FIG. 9, this latest method of the invention is accomplished byinserting the first end portion 34 a of the position-indicating rod intothe lowermost loop 26 b provided on first strap 22 of the harness. Thisdone, the second end portion 34 b of the position-indicating rod isinserted into the lower loop 28 b provided on the second strap 24 of theharness. With the position-indicating rod 34 in the angularly extendingconfiguration shown in FIG. 11, the trainee can undertake a back swingin the manner illustrated in FIG. 10. As shown in FIG. 10, as thetrainee turns the upper body portion, end 34 a of theposition-indicating rod will move into engagement with the inner rightelbow and in so doing will to provide to the trainee a tactileindication that the elbow should not be lifted further. This highlyunique feature of the invention provides a positive teaching method forensuring that during the back swing the rearmost or right shoulder isnot improperly lifted.

[0040] Turning next to FIG. 11, a trainee is shown using the golftraining apparatus of the invention to properly align a putter with aselected target. Once again, it is to be observed that in this example,the position-indicating rod has been arranged in still a differentconfiguration to teach the proper address to the golf ball when using aputter. The apparatus set up as shown in FIG. 11 is specifically adaptedto teach the trainee to square the shoulders and to properly align withthe selected target. As shown in FIG. 11, this latest method of theinvention is accomplished by inserting the first end portion 34 a of theposition-indicating rod into the uppermost loop 26 a provided on firststrap 22 of the harness. This done, the second end portion 34 b of theposition-indicating rod is inserted into the upper loop 28 a provided onthe second strap 24 of the harness. With the position-indicating rod 34in the angularly extending configuration shown in FIG. 11, the traineecan turn the upper body portion to a position where end 34 a of theposition-indicating rod correctly points toward the selected target.When the trainee is properly aligned, end 34 b the position-indicatingrod will engage the left arm and in so doing will to provide to thetrainee a tactile indication that the arm should not be moved furtheraway from the body. This highly unique feature of the invention providesa positive teaching method for learning proper alignment during puttingand for ensuring that during the address to the ball the arms are notimproperly extended from the body.

[0041] Referring to FIG. 12, the trainee is depicted using the golftraining apparatus of the invention in an alternate manner to properlyaddress the ball using a putter and also to ensure that the arms remainclose to the body. This latest method of the invention is accomplishedby inserting the first end portion 34 a of the position-indicating rodinto the lower loop 26 b provided on first strap 22 of the harness andby inserting the second end portion 34 b of the position-indicating rodinto the lower loop 28 b provided on the second strap 24 of the harness.With the position-indicating rod 34 in the lowermost, generallyhorizontally extending configuration shown in FIG. 12, the trainee canturn the upper body portion to a position where end 34 a of theposition-indicating rod correctly points toward the selected target.When the trainee is properly aligned, end 34 a of theposition-indicating rod will engage the right arm of the trainee and end34 b the position-indicating rod will engage the left arm. In this way,the position-indicating rod will simultaneously engage both arms of thetrainee in so doing will to provide to the trainee a tactile indicationthat the arms should not be moved away from the body.

[0042] Turning now to FIG. 13, a trainee is there depicted using thegolf training apparatus of the invention to properly align a long ironwith a selected target. This latest method of the invention isaccomplished by inserting the first end portion 34 a of theposition-indicating rod into the upper loop 26 a provided on first strap22 of the harness and by inserting the second end portion 34 b of theposition-indicating rod into the upper loop 28 a provided on the secondstrap 24 of the harness. With the position-indicating rod 34 in thisuppermost, generally horizontally extending configuration as shown inFIG. 13, the trainee can turn the upper body portion to a position whereend 34 a of the position-indicating rod correctly points toward theselected target thereby assuming the proper address position.

[0043] Having now described the invention in detail in accordance withthe requirements of the patent statutes, those skilled in this art willhave no difficulty in making changes and modifications in the individualparts or their relative assembly in order to meet specific requirementsor conditions. Such changes and modifications may be made withoutdeparting from the scope and spirit of the invention, as set forth inthe following claims.

I claim:
 1. A golf training apparatus for use by a trainee havingshoulders disposed within a plane comprising: (a) harness assemblyremovably affixed to the upper body portion of the trainee, said harnessassembly including shoulder straps having spaced apart front portionsarranged to drape over the chest of the trainee, each of said shoulderstraps having a plurality of spaced apart rod receiving loops; and (b)an elongated position-indicating rod having end portions receivablewithin a selected pair of said rod receiving loops, whereby saidelongated position-indicating rod can be adjustably positioned withinplanes generally parallel to the plane of the trainees shoulders andalternatively can be positioned within planes extending angularly withrespect to the plane of the trainees shoulders.
 2. The golf trainingapparatus as described in claim 1 in which the shoulders of the traineehave a width and in which the elongated position-indicating rod has alength greater than the width of the shoulders of the trainee.
 3. Thegolf training apparatus as described in claim 1 in which each of saidshoulder straps has an upper rod receiving loop, a lower rod receivingloop and an intermediate rod receiving loop disposed between said upperrod receiving loop and said lower rod receiving loop.
 4. The golftraining apparatus as described in claim 1 in which said shoulder strapsof said harness assembly have end portions and in which said harnessassembly further includes a chest band connected to said end portions ofsaid shoulder straps.
 5. The golf training apparatus as described inclaim 4 in which said chest band has first and second ends and in whichsaid harness assembly further includes connector means for releasablyinterconnecting said first and second ends of said chest band.
 6. A golftraining apparatus for use by a trainee having shoulders disposed withina plane and also having an upper body including a chest portion and aback portion, said apparatus comprising: (a) a harness assemblyremovably affixed to the upper body portion of the trainee, said harnessassembly including: (i) first and second spaced apart straps draped overthe trainees shoulders and having front and rear portions, said strapsextending over the chest and back portions of the trainee, each of saidfirst and second straps being provided with a plurality of spaced apartrod receiving loops; (ii) a chest band connected to said first andsecond straps and encircling the trainees chest portion, said chest bandhaving first and second ends; and (iii) connector means forinterconnecting said first and second ends of said chest band; and (b)an elongated position-indicating rod connected to said harness assembly,said elongated position-indicating rod having first and second endportions, said first end portion being receivable within a selected oneof said rod receiving loops provided on said first strap and said secondend portion being receivable within a selected one of said rod receivingloops provided on said second strap, whereby said elongatedposition-indicating rod can be adjustably positioned within planesgenerally parallel to the plane of the trainees shoulders andalternatively can be adjustably positioned within planes extendingangularly with respect to the plane of the trainees shoulders.
 7. Thetraining device of claim 6 in which the connector means comprises abuckle located on a front portion of said chest band.
 8. The golftraining apparatus as described in claim 6 in which the shoulders of thetrainee have a width and in which the elongated position-indicating rodhas a length greater than the width of the shoulders of the trainee. 9.The golf training apparatus as described in claim 6 in which each ofsaid shoulder straps has an upper rod receiving loop, a lower rodreceiving loop and an intermediate rod receiving loop disposed betweensaid upper rod receiving loop and said lower rod receiving loop.
 10. Amethod of teaching a trainee a proper golf swing using a golf club tostrike a golf ball and a golf training apparatus, the trainee havingfirst and second shoulders disposed proximate the intersection of afirst generally horizontal plane and a first generally vertical plane,first and second elbows and an upper body including a chest portion anda back portion, the golf training apparatus comprising a harnessassembly removably affixed to the upper body of the trainee, saidharness assembly including first and second spaced apart straps drapedover the trainees first and second shoulders respectively and havingfront and rear portions, each of said first and second straps having ontheir front portions an upper rod receiving loop, a lower rod receivingloop and an intermediate rod receiving loop disposed between said upperrod receiving loop and said lower rod receiving loop, said golf trainingapparatus also including an elongated position-indicating rod havingfirst and second end portions, said method comprising the steps of: (a)inserting the first end portion of the position-indicating rod into aselected one of the upper, lower in intermediate loops provided on thefirst strap of the harness; (b) inserting the second end portion of theposition-indicating rod into a selected one of the upper, lower andintermediate loops on the second strap of the harness; and (c)initiating a golf swing while observing the position of a selected oneof said first and second end portions of said position-indicating rodand sensing any tactile indication given by the position-indicating rodduring the golf swing.
 11. The method as defined in claim 10 in whichthe first end portion of the position-indicating rod is inserted intothe upper loop provided on the first strap of the harness; in which thesecond end portion of the position-indicating rod is inserted into thelower loop on the second strap of the harness; and in which a back swingof the golf club is carried out in a manner so as not to lift the firstend of the positioning indicating rod to thereby ensure that the firstelbow remains in close proximity with the upper body during the initialturn of the upper body.
 12. The method as defined in claim 10 in whichthe first end portion of the position-indicating rod is inserted intothe lower loop provided on the first strap of the harness; in which thesecond end portion of the position-indicating rod is inserted into theupper loop on the second strap of the harness; and in which a back swingof the golf club is carried out in a manner so as not to lift the firstend of the positioning indicating rod thereby blocking improper liftingof the first shoulder during the back swing.
 13. The method as definedin claim 10 in which the first end portion of the position-indicatingrod is inserted into the upper loop provided on the first strap of theharness; in which the second end portion of the position-indicating rodis inserted into the upper loop provided on the second strap of theharness; and carrying out a full back swing of the golf club in a mannersuch that the upper body portion is turned to a position wherein thesecond end portion of the positioning indicating rod is disposed withina second, generally vertical plane that is substantially perpendicularto said first substantially horizontal plane to ensure a proper turn ofthe shoulders during the full back swing of the golf club.
 14. Themethod as defined in claim 10 in which the first end portion of theposition-indicating rod is inserted into the upper loop provided on thefirst strap of the harness; in which the second end portion of theposition-indicating rod is inserted into the upper loop provided on thesecond strap of the harness; and, using a long iron, addressing the golfball in a manner such that the upper body portion is turned to aposition wherein the second end portion of the positioning indicatingrod is pointed in the direction of a selected target.
 15. The method asdefined in claim 10 in which the first end portion of theposition-indicating rod is inserted into the upper loop provided on thefirst strap of the harness; in which the second end portion of theposition-indicating rod is inserted into the lower loop provided on thesecond strap of the harness; and, using a putter, addressing the golfball in a manner such that the upper body portion is turned to aposition wherein the second end portion of the positioning indicatingrod is pointed in the direction of a selected target and in which thesecond arm is in engagement with the second end of the positioningindicating rod and is in close proximity with the upper body.
 16. Themethod as defined in claim 10 in which the first end portion of theposition-indicating rod is inserted into the lower loop provided on thefirst strap of the harness; in which the second end portion of theposition-indicating rod is inserted into the lower loop provided on thesecond strap of the harness; and, using a putter, addressing the golfball in a manner such that the upper body portion is turned to aposition wherein the second end portion of the positioning indicatingrod is pointed in the direction of a selected target and in which thefirst and second arms are in engagement with the positioning indicatingrod and are in close proximity with the upper body.
 17. The method asdefined in claim 10 in which the first end portion of theposition-indicating rod is inserted into the upper loop provided on thefirst strap of the harness; in which the second end portion of theposition-indicating rod is inserted into the upper loop provided on thesecond strap of the harness; and, using a driver, addressing the golfball in a manner such that the second end portion of the positioningindicating rod is pointed angularly upward and in the direction of aselected target.
 18. The method as defined in claim 10 in which thefirst end portion of the position-indicating rod is inserted into theupper loop provided on the first strap of the harness; in which thesecond end portion of the position-indicating rod is inserted into theupper loop provided on the second strap of the harness; and, using awedge, addressing the golf ball in a manner such that the positioningindicating rod is substantially level and is pointed in the direction ofa selected target.